Instant Music

[Huitzil]

Paul puts down his lute and speaks.

"The Dreadmarch is coming. This you already know. If you have not heard word of their approach, you have heard the thunder of their step. Even now, the holders of this keep prepare for battle. Swords are drawn and arrows are nocked. Thousands march to the urgings of some dark drum, coming upon us to sunder all we know and love.

"Yet, we are not afraid! Because we know if ever a place was secure, this is the place. If ever a troop was mighty, they were our troops. If ever a warrior was valiant, a general brilliant, or a leader righteous, we know they are here with us on this day. And this we know, that the Keep will not fall; as we know that the sun will shine upon us.

"Let the Dreadmarch come, I say, and let a thousand times its host as well! Because we know that we shall break them, weather their assault unharmed as a rock in even the mightiest stream. They will flow about us, but they cannot, and WILL NOT take us!

"Why, during this time of our glorious victory, should you be made to wait out here? Let all who know happiness and good come into the Keep, I say, and be safe within its stone. And moreover, let there be a FESTIVAL! We shall eat, drink, and be merry, we shall sing and dance as their army bears upon us because we know that this fortress shall not fall! Within our great hall, we shall make our merriment and spite that Darkness that shall futilely fall upon our anvil! Come, my brothers and sisters, come and share the joy of the victors."

[Brian]

After hearing your speech, all the civillians rally to your call, and flood into the keep, raising a great cheer as they do so.  The servant standing next to you looks thoughtful for a moment, and then runs in after them.

[Huitzil]

Paul whistles in suprise (well, close to a whistle anyway), then jumps up and grabs the servant. "Hold on, hold on, not yet. There's a lot of people here and not all of them may have heard to go to the hall, and they aren't staying to spread the word. I need you to help me out by going around and checking out who is still here, and spreading the word. I'm going to head back into the keep, but first, I need to speak with the troops one last time. And thanks a lot for helping me out like this, man."

[Brian]

The servant nods, and does as you directed.

[Huitzil]

Paul heads back to the keep, up to the ramparts where he thinks most of the soldiers might be. His lips are moving slightly as he thinks of what he ought to say to them.

[Brian]

The majority of the soldiers are apparently milling around the courtyard, discussing things with their field commanders.

[Huitzil]

Paul looks about for the nearest lord, or failing that, somebody who looks as if he's in charge for the time being.

[Brian]

Lammermore and Kevin are standing at one corner of the courtyard, attended by about eight guards, talking with eachother, though you can't head them over the other men, as they scurry around and move bundles of spears to and fro.

[Huitzil]

Paul tries to make his way over to the two without shoving anyone aside or getting poked by anything sharp.

[Brian]

No one stops you, though the guards look at you suspiciously when you draw near.  "Greetings, Master Durant," Lammermore says, aknowledging you with a nod, and prompting Lord Kevin to stop discussing whatever he was speaking about before, turning to look at you in surprise.

[Huitzil]

"Not to trouble or interrupt you, but I had wondered if I might speak to the troops before the battle begins in earnest. Raise their hearts, that sort of thing. I feel that I ought to do something to aid you, and if I can't boost your numbers, perhaps I could boost your morale."

[Brian]

"That's a good plan," Lord Kevin agrees.  "Morale and hope are the weakness of the Dreadmarch.  Right now, it's merely preparation.  Master Durant, I'd like it if you would rest until the moon sets -- that's when the siege begins.  I can have a servant wake you before the battle begins.  That would be the ideal time for a speech."

Lammermore nods wordlessly.  Behind you, you see that massive stone, giant ... troll ... thing walking through the crowd with heavy, deliberate steps.  He's carrying what looks like a huge, flattened iron star in his hands.  It's got eight points, none of them pointing directly up, down, or to either side, and it's about a meter across.

"Ah," Lammermore says.  "We must attend Lord Boneforge."  He hesitates, and then says, "You may join us, if you wish."

[Huitzil]

"Uh..."

Paul's jaw hangs.

"Uh, no, I think that will be quite all right."

Paul makes a stunned show of deference and then heads back to the hall, all the while thinking "Boneforge? BONEFORGE?"

[Brian]

The two nod, and then Lord Kevin and Sir Lammermore (and their guards) walk over to the granite giant, walking with him into the keep.

Now there's just soldiers on the courtyard, putting spears in accessible piles, and yelling out instructions on dealing with pieces of damaged armor.

When you reach the hall, it's still packed with civilians, now all cheering.  They've got some guy on stage telling a story about one of the former Dreadmarches.

[Huitzil]

Paul waits, listening to the story.